G.P.

The past week I have spent settling in Paris, looking at the sights and trying to learn how to navigate in the city. Paris was not as warm in winter as I expected so I also caught a flu in the process... Anyway, it is a great city and I am so happy that after a lot of postponing I finally made it here!

Musicians of ONF in the Olivier Messiaen hall at the Radio France

I work here as an assistant with the Orchestre National de France. This week Maestro Masur was working on a program of Richard Strauss and Cesar Franck.

Maestro Masur conducting the dress rehearsal in Salle Pleyel

Franck's tone poem "Psyche" for chorus and orchestra was totally new to me, but it is really a masterpiece - something I would like to perform myself, maybe in Finland or Russia... In addition to orchestra and choir there was a part for an orator telling the ancient tale of Eros and Psyche.

Sorry for the brevity of my comments this time... When I overcome the flu there will be much catching up!